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Racism not an issue, says keeper

Chloe Saltau

Thami Tsolekile: 'I am very happy because I know exactly where I stand.' Photo: AFP

SOUTH Africa's back-up wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile has denied race is an issue in his non-selection against Australia.

Nor does Tsolekile expect to break into the Proteas team for the second Test in Adelaide, starting on Thursday.

He expects A. B. de Villiers to continue juggling the roles of wicketkeeper and batsman, despite evidence to suggest the workload has taken the edge off his batting.

Former South African paceman Makhaya Ntini. Photo: Dallas Kilponen

Retired fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, South Africa's first black cricketer, recently claimed Tsolekile would be in the team if he were white. Tsolekile counts Ntini as a hero, but is adamant he is not a victim of racial bias.

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''What he said was quite disturbing for me personally,'' he said.

''I wouldn't know why he said that. I haven't been involved for eight years [with the international team], I've come back from the wilderness so to speak, but this set-up at the moment is amazing … It is the kind of set-up you really want to be involved in.

''Makhaya was speaking on behalf of himself, not me. I haven't experienced anything like that. Maybe he has his own reasons for saying that, but I haven't seen or experienced anything different in this set-up. The atmosphere has been great and I am very comfortable.

''Perhaps he was talking from the point of view that he would like to see more African cricketers playing for the Proteas … All I can say is that, from my side, I am very happy because I know exactly where I stand in the squad and I know exactly what my position is after speaking for a long time with [coach] Gary Kirsten, both in England and here in Australia.''

De Villiers was handed the gloves as an emergency measure in England after Mark Boucher suffered a career-ending eye injury. Tsolekile was added to the squad but the Proteas have preferred de Villiers (and extend the batting) rather than pick the specialist gloveman.

Since taking on the gloves, de Villiers has not scored a half-century, and before the Australian tour he missed three weeks with a chronic back problem.

The series-ending injury to J. P. Duminy gives South Africa the option of calling on Tsolekile instead of a specialist batsman, Faf du Plessis or Dean Elgar.

The keeper is not holding his breath and gave no hint of frustration.

"A. B. de Villiers is keeping very well - he kept well in England in difficult conditions and I can't see a reason to change the team,'' he said.

''He is batting well, too. He has made starts all the time but just hasn't gone on to make the big scores yet, but he will.''

Tsolekile, with a first-class batting average of 29, made his Test debut eight years ago but has since said he lacked the self-belief to make the most of his chance.

"It might take three weeks, three months or a year before I play another Test match, but it will probably feel like my debut,'' he said.

The South Africans reconvened in Adelaide on Sunday, having dispersed after the drawn Gabba Test for four days of fishing, golf, snorkelling and close encounters with snakes at the Australia Zoo.